… Preferably While Running

Twin Cities 2012 Marathon Training: Week 11 Recap

My 18 mile run on the previous Sunday went well when it comes to numbers. I hit my target pace consistently, but I finished it wishing that my legs would have just given me a bit more. My legs felt heavy from the beginning and they didn’t even wake up halfway through the run. So, I decided to give myself a “rest” on Monday by focusing on a strength routine that I’ve been trying (keyword: trying) to incorporate into my schedule on a regular basis.

Monday: Core/Myrtl/Lunge Routines

Tuesday: Shakeout (legs locked up after the lunge matrix I did on Monday!)

Wednesday: 6 x 800 in under 3:20 each

Thursday: REST

Friday: Tempo (2 x 2 mile at 7:05 or faster)

Saturday: REST

Sunday: 14 miles (first 7 at 8:15, second 7 at 7:50-2:00)

I suppose I’m still in ‘base building’ mode (at least that’s what Coach says) but I’m feeling a bit worn down. I was so excited at the beginning of the week when I realized I only had to run 14 on Sunday, but I went out yesterday morning kind of dreading the entire thing. My body just wouldn’t stick to the target pace. In hindsight, I suppose it’s not such a bad thing that my body wants to go faster than the long run training pace, but that’s not the point of a marathon is it? In short, I think the speed training this past spring has made me feel more comfortable going faster than slower and I have some work to do to get the endurance back 100%.

I never thought I’d say these words, but Friday’s tempo run was my favorite of the week, by FAR! It was cloudy and I knew the storm clouds were rolling in that morning. The goal was: 1 mile warmup, 2 x 2 mile at 7:05 pace, and 1 mile cooldown. My legs felt so good that I ran each tempo mile under 7:00 min/mile pace! I’d been hoping for a run in the warm rain for a few weeks and I finally got to enjoy that feeling—2 miles of a steady sprinkle and it was glorious!

I haven’t been nervous about my second marathon until today. I was thinking about what has to happen in the next 10 weeks (either in my running, professional, or personal life!) and it is a bit overwhelming to me right now. I’d like to have the energy to do it all. I need to keep reminding myself that achieving goals take a certain amount of sacrifice and I need to be willing to give up on some things in order to accomplish those that are most important to me. Bottom line: the next 10 weeks is dedicated to taking care of my body and enjoying time with people I love.

The Wanderer…

My name is Jenny and I've recently become obsessed with running. (Anyone that's talked with me in the past couple of months knows it's true.) This blog has morphed from a blog about everything into a blog about my pursuit of the RACE. In October 2011, I ran my first marathon (#CM11) and qualified for Boston with a time of 3:32:53. I'm looking forward to running many more marathons and seeing what I'm made of!